New high-tech method for CI surgery

A robot assisted surgical procedure of the University of Bern and Inselspital could help more people with hearing problems in the future.

Up to now CI patients had to undergo surgery for around two hours. A new surgical technique which has been developed recently by the University of Bern and Inselspital could usher in a new era. Instead of a large cut behind the ear, a high-precision robot arm bores a small hole with a diameter of one to two millimeters directly to the inner ear.

According to Marco Caversaccio, Professor and chief physician of Inselspital Bern, there is the hope that a better sense of hearing will result through the higher precision and consistency achieved with the robot. Prof. Caversaccio asserts, “The more individualized intervention and the more advanced technology, the higher are the chances for a better sense of hearing.”